Cover Tatler House Dialogue presented 'The Investor’s Playbook For 2026—Asia In Focus’, a compelling panel discussion in partnership with Schroders Wealth Management
Tatler House Dialogue presented 'The Investor’s Playbook For 2026—Asia In Focus’, a compelling panel discussion in partnership with Schroders Wealth Management
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From navigating volatility to embracing alternative assets, Schroders Wealth Management’s Vincent Ee and Michelle Cheung, along with gallerist Audrey Zhang gathered for an illuminating dialogue on how Asia’s wealthiest investors are recalibrating strategy for the year ahead
As global markets grow more complex, family offices are responding with greater discipline: diversifying portfolios, increasing exposure to alternative assets, and adopting frameworks to safeguard long-term wealth. These shifting priorities formed the backdrop of the recent Tatler House Dialogue held on January 25, where some of the industry’s leading financial minds gathered to examine a timely question: what are the new rules of investing in 2026?
Set against the intimate backdrop of 67 Pall Mall Singapore, the evening convened a select group of Tatler Singapore community members: business leaders, next-generation change-makers, and ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs). The occasion? To gain valuable insight from Schroders Wealth Management, whose global investment expertise and deep understanding of private clients have long positioned the firm as a trusted advisor in an increasingly tumultuous financial landscape.
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Moderated by Tatler Singapore’s editor-in-chief Dana Koh, the evening’s panel discussion ‘The Investor’s Playbook For 2026—Asia In Focus’ brought together three compelling figures in finance and art: Vincent Ee, head of Investments, Asia, and Michelle Cheung, investment director, Asia, from Schroders Wealth Management, as well as Audrey Zhang, founder of Prestige Gallery. Together, the three panellists brought forth their own unique perspectives that framed the topic from complementary angles.
Setting the tone for the evening, Ee observed that while markets entered the year with cautious optimism, a wave of unexpected global developments quickly tempered sentiment. Still, resilience has prevailed across the region, leading him to characterise Asian investors today as “cautiously opportunistic”—measured in their approach yet prepared to act when compelling opportunities emerge.
The rise of intentional portfolios
Cheung expanded on this shift, emphasising that portfolio construction has become far more deliberate among UHNW families. Increasingly, conversations with these families extend beyond financial returns to encompass value, legacy planning, and long-term stewardship. “Sometimes the non-financial piece of the puzzle [is] important as well. You think about legacy, you think about values, you think about purpose, you think about passing on or preserving the wealth for generations to come,” she said, underscoring a growing preference for strategies aligned with enduring family goals rather than short-term market movements.
Above Schroders Wealth Management's Vincent Ee (second from left), head of Investments, Asia, and Michelle Cheung (right), investment director, Asia, shared their front-line insights on how investors can navigate volatility with conviction
Schroders Wealth Management's Vincent Ee (second from left), head of Investments, Asia, and Michelle Cheung (right), investment director, Asia, shared their front-line insights on how investors can navigate volatility with conviction
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Alternative assets emerged as a defining theme throughout the discussion. Offering a refreshing perspective from the art world, Zhang reflected on the rapid maturation of Asia’s collector base, shaped in part by a younger demographic entering the market seeking assets that carry both cultural resonance and enduring value. Citing global research, she noted that “around 20 percent of [High Net Worth Individuals’] assets were put in art, and for the Ultra High Net Worth, it even reached 26 percent.” The motivations, however, extend beyond financial appreciation. At its core, she explained, art delivers “three main values: emotional value, social and cultural values, and finally, financial values,” suggesting that collecting art today is as much about shaping identity and preserving heritage as it is about financial appreciation.
The conversation also explored how investors are recalibrating their geographic exposure, particularly toward China. Rather than withdrawing, Ee observed a more nuanced re-engagement. “Investors have definitely not retreated. They have recalibrated, gone back into the market, but also in a more cautious way,” he explained, noting that attention is increasingly directed toward sectors supported by policy and innovation.
Above Audrey Zhang (middle), founder of Prestige Gallery, offered a refreshing perspective about art as an alternative asset
Audrey Zhang (middle), founder of Prestige Gallery, offered a refreshing perspective about art as an alternative asset
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Technology, trust, and discernment
Technology, too, was a topic of discussion during the evening—especially the accelerating role of artificial intelligence (AI) in investment workflows. While AI has enhanced research capabilities and accelerated decision-making, Ee cautioned that human judgement remains indispensable, particularly when stewarding generational wealth where trust and discernment are paramount.
Cheung echoed this measured stance, pointing to trust and discernment as critical considerations. Referencing findings from the inaugural Schroders Wealth Management APAC Family Office Survey—which gathered insights from 60 family offices across the region—she noted that concerns around emerging technology remain pronounced. “One of the biggest things is data privacy. Can you trust it?” Equally important, she added, is the ability to remain discerning—carefully evaluating the information generated by increasingly sophisticated technologies while recognising that algorithms cannot fully account for the emotional nuance and complex priorities. Even as digital tools evolve, the human capacity for judgement, intuition, and holistic thinking remains indispensable, she opined.
Tatler Singapore’s editor-in-chief and the evening’s moderator Dana Koh (left) with Vincent Ee, Audrey Zhang, and Michelle Cheung
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Navigating the road ahead
For Schroders Wealth Management, the evening’s discussion ultimately reinforced the importance of clarity and intentionality in navigating uncertain markets. As Ee emphasised, establishing investment objectives from the outset is critical: “It’s really quite important to establish the real investment objectives, the real investment risks that you have for capital.”
Cheung echoed this commitment to future-focused stewardship, noting that wealth management today must extend beyond immediate market cycles. “In assurance, we think of decades, not quarters, not months…we’re thinking about generations,” she said, highlighting the Schroders Wealth Management’s enduring emphasis on preservation, continuity, and intergenerational success.
As the panel discussion drew to a close, one message rang particularly clear: in an era defined by rapid change, successful investing in today’s environment demands both discipline and perspective. Whether incorporating alternative assets or navigating the promises and pitfalls of emerging technologies, investors must balance agility with conviction.
If the year ahead is poised to test even the most seasoned investors, the evening’s Tatler House Dialogue offered guests a timely reminder that volatility need not unsettle those guided by experience and strategic foresight. With trusted partners such as Schroders Wealth Management at their side, investors can look beyond the headlines and towards building resilient portfolios designed not just for the present, but for generations to come.
For more photos of the event, click through the gallery below:
From left to right: Jason Lai, chief executive of Schroders Wealth Management, Asia, Vincent Ee, head of investments, Asia, Richard Lewis, managing director and team head, Family Office, Asia, with Kellyn Lee
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Credits
Photography: Adrian Lee
